The Champions
Online Official Website outlines a couple of long-term subscription
plans for Cryptic's upcoming MMORPG. They will be offering $59.99 six-month
subscriptions with an in-game perk as well as $199.99 lifetime subscriptions (we
somehow imagine Bill Roper's name will come up in discussing these), which offer
additional in-game bonuses. Both plans also offer access to the Star Trek
Online closed beta test, and the lifetime plan also offers a "Unique Mirror
Universe outfit for Star Trek Online, available at the game’s release," for
those planning on subscribing to Cryptic's other upcoming MMORPG along with
their lifetime CO deal:

While you’re here, though, take a look at these
exclusive specials you’ll get if you sign up for a 6-month or lifetime
subscription! When you enter your pre-order key at the bottom of this page, you
will be presented with these offers.

The only other game in this niche is the ancient City of Heroes so I doubt this will collapse immediately. That said, “Roper” is now synonymous with “lying, scamming, failure” so I can’t imagine it being hugely successful.

As for Hellgate, I think he only claimed it was an MMO to try to justify the subscription fee. Beyond all the technical and creative shortcomings, charging a monthly fee for a game that lacked the features and content of an MMO was the worst idea they ever had.